All Chapters of Love Without Time Limits: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

    I ran as fast as I could. The clopping of the hooves grew closer and closer.    It was a quiet, moonless night with an all-devouring deep fog. I ran off the dirt path, into the forest. The thick tree canopies made it harder to see and I fell a few times.     Clip! Clop! Clip! Clop!     I considered climbing a tree and staying put fo

    I woke up with the most massive headache I'd ever had. As I slowly opened my eyes, I wasn't sure if I was awake for real or still in a dream. I stared at the wooden ceiling that slanted upwards to form an "A" like an ancient Greek temple roof.     The room was almost dark and the bed that I was lying on felt too soft and uncomfortable. It shifted under my weight. I turned my aching head to look around while trying to get up. A pair of huge, startled eyes looked back at me from the side of the bed.    "Aaahh!!" She let out a squeaky cry of excitement. It was a tiny litt

    I reluctantly got out of bed to shower. These people are surely unfamiliar with the concept of soundproofing. The walls were made up of mostly straw with bits of wood for support. I could hear a lot of commotion; the clatter of dishes mixed with the chatter of people. I figured from their conversation that the Druid was going to stay for lunch. Dad brought wild boar home to cook and asked mom to make soup with it.    Iona was walking me to where the bathroom was when we heard hushed whispers and footsteps. A tall man who looked bigger than my brothers and had a funny-looking mustache that covered his mouth appeared with my mom and grabbed hold of my arm. He looked anxious and talked too fast.

    “No, please! Don’t leave me. I feel terrified! I need you here. Our baby needs you here.” I implored him to change his mind.     His face exuded sadness and helplessness.     I was lying on a bed, sweaty and squirming in pain. My water broke six hours ago.     Two women on either side of the bed had my arms restrained. Another sharp contraction racked my body and I felt acutely lightheaded. The pain of not

 "Can you help me move the cauldron out of the way? We need more space to seat everyone"    "Those scumbags won't want to come inside our houses, will they?"    "I am sure Melvin will take them inside to flaunt his trophies."    "Ugh! Right."    I watched as the path leading to the house was beautifully decorated and cleare

   We marched down to the village with Marcus no longer by my side. A sonorous lilting kind of music grew louder and richer as we neared the bonfire. The villagers had already gathered by the fire and the atmosphere was noisy and lively. There was a group of people dancing by the fire and another group singing and playing music to them. Wafts of food and wine saturated my senses. I felt at ease for the first time since the last two days that I have been here.     Marcus's presence had a calming effect on me, which was completely unexpected. All my apprehensions about him felt unwarranted when I saw him laugh carelessly with his family. The warm bonfire glow transformed his face into a picture-perfect vision.

   It was mid-afternoon the following day when the Romans were getting ready to leave. They camped all over the hillfort starting from outside our house down to the village.     Marcus and the men that rode with him in the front of the procession Yesterday were nowhere to be seen. They seemed to be his close buddies. They kept him company throughout his meet and greet with the villagers during the feast. And yet they didn't care to say a word to me. Most of his family, except for his mom, grandparents, and one sister, didn't seem to care about talking to me or my family. In fact, his brothers' wives gave me hostile looks.

I made my way home, feeling flustered with all the new information. What point is that stone when I don't know how to use it? I looked around with uncertainty. It was broad daylight just a minute ago, and I wasn't afraid one bit to walk alone. But that changed very quickly when the sun went down. Darkness engulfed the village within seconds.     A lurking shadow loomed out of the dark and made me jump and scream involuntarily. I was too scared to look at what or who it was. I ran towards the hillfort but it caught up with me. Someone's arms forcefully grabbed my waist from behind.   

 Marcus's POV    I am not sure what exactly happened. Ever since I set my eyes on Allena, I feel bewitched. I have seen women that are far prettier and well endowed than her. Any man would find my girlfriend, Laelia, irresistible. I had no doubts about how much I loved her and felt dedicated to her. And yet, my faith in love and loyalty seems to be shaken now. I can't put thoughts of Allena's away from my mind. And I can't put a finger on what's causing these irrepressible feelings.    I felt thunderstruck when I saw Allena. I tried to hide the waves of emotions I experienced, tried to put up

 Laelia's POV    I watched her as she walked into the dining area. There was nothing special about her, maybe a bit cute with a sweet face. She was anything but my equal; I was worried for nothing. I know that Marcus's love and affection towards me are very much genuine, but I wanted to make sure that he wasn't going to indulge in meaningless sex with this woman. He has a huge appetite and it makes me insecure sometimes. When he returned after the engagement and I asked him how she was, all he said was.. meh. But I must have imagined the distant look on his face when he replied because she is indeed meh.